doctor called today..unsure what to do!

[summer22]

I have bilateral cysts/nodules the gyn has been watching since April 2006. The last u/s showed a slight increase of both and calling them "hypoechoic solid lesion and a solid nodule"
The ca-125 went down from 41 to 25 but the doctor said even though that is reassuring it is not for diagnosing.
He said I could either be conservative and wait 6 weeks for another trans u/s or he could remove both ovarian lesions along with the ovaries (i am 48 yr).  He said he is not worried about them, but it was up to me. I asked his opinion and he said he advises waiting 6 weeks and getting a repeat u/s.
I told him I would wait 6 weeks for another u/s .
I was surprised that he said when and if surgery happens, it will be removal of the ovaries. Which opens a whole new bunch of questions for me. I am thinking that the doctor feels with my age, it is best to just remove them to avoid cancer risk later. I don't know if I should wait 6 weeks. He said the lesions are small (2.4 x 2.3 x 2.2 cm for one) and (2.2 x 1.5 x 1.9 cm for the left ovary)
Is it better to just get the ovaries out now since I will be going through menopause in the next year or two???
I'm afraid of hormone replacement too, but that is something I would have to face in 3-5 yrs anyway. I was thinking about looking into bio-identical.
I also have a fibroid on my uterus that is 1.2 cm, grown since last u/s. Should I get the uterus removed as well.
ANy info or similar experiences out there?
Why don't guys have to go through all this decison making as they get older!!!!???

[MGreat]

I had my right ovary removed at 27 due to a cyst.  Apparently I had it for many years and it grew until the ovary bursted.  
At 33 I had my tubes tied.  Never wanted to have children and I had just gotten divorced.  My ex had a vasectomy before I knew him and married him.
At 49 I had a complete hysterectomy due to a cyst on the walls of the uterus, the Dr. felt this was best for me.  I loved it!!!!! Finally free of periods, PMS, etc.
He put me on Estrogen (Premarin 1.25mg) and I have been on this since.
I am now 63.
My current Dr. wants me to get off the estrogen because he feels it might give me a breast tumor and/or cause problems with my heart.
I feel great, I've always (all my life - good genes) looked 10-15 years younger than I am, I exercise 5-6 days a week, take good care of myself and I really do not want to go off them and start weaning out of them as he has suggested because the millograms are too high.  But, again, I feel fine.  
Your suggestions please.

[Gatsby]

Just to let you all know, I just came back from my post op and my DOCTOR said that he is more than happy to go the bioidentical route with me.  He said that there are no studies stating that they are unsafe.
~Tascha

[fungirl]

Well said Tascha.  Just want nechee to know that my DOCTOR told me that anytime you can take a natural hormone/durg, that it the way to go since it is NATURAL and not CHEMICAL.  Do you think you have more infor than a doctor?  Don't get me wrong, but you are just a researcher.  Any Tom, **** or Harry could do that.  Not saying that what you do is not important because it is, but PLEASE do not act like you have a medical degree.  It is uncalled for to keep insulting all of us all of the time.  If you truley feel that we are wrong here, then why do you stick around?  I do not recall any of us begging for your responses.  If you do not like it here or like what we have to say, then LEAVE!!!

[Gatsby]

Am I to understand that natural homones also cause problems?  If that is the case, then we are all doomed aren't we?  Our bodies produce the hormones that keep us healthy. Are you saying that the natural hormones in our bodies will eventually lead to our deaths?  Isn't it true that it is the lack of these hormones that will cause the health issues that we fear.  Osteperosis, heart desease, etc.  When these natural hormones are no longer being made in our bodies, doesn't it make sence to replace them with natural hormones as opposed to synthetic?  What about the millions of people that take soy, melatonin, dhea, & other herbs, are they doomed to suffer too because these natural products contain hormones. And don't get me started on the hormones in our beef & chicken.  The studies that were conducted through the WHI were on Synthetic hormones.  It is also proven that the sythetic hormones do not replace our lost hormones, just treat the syptoms of menopause.   Bioidenticals replace hormones as has been shown through blood tests.  In the end, however, it is a personal choice to use bhrt or hrt.  As for siting research, that is what it is - research -and every woman here is doing their own.
You need to stop degrading the women here.

[Tybear]

It actually states in the rules and regulations as well, that you are not to post links or addresses to other websites.

[Tybear]

As it says in the original post, Summer is considering looking into bio-identical hormones, should the need arise for her to have her ovaries removed. Mary is the best informed on this subject (short of seeing a Dr) and Summer clearly asks for any info or similar expierences to be shared. I really don't sense anything pushy about what Mary has said. Summer, I know that the list of side effects of ovary removal can be scary (as I'm sure they were posted with the intent to do just that) but I really do feel ok. I won't go into specifics, but should it come to you having to lose your ovaries, don't be afraid - there are lots of different types of HRT available to help. I really do hope though, that it won't have to come to that. Keep us updated!
Becky

[turtledovemom]

ne'chee...
I can read.  Can you?  summer shared quite a bit of her information, but we haven't had the opportunity to see exactly what it is that her doctor has seen.  None of us are seers and know what her genetic background is.  None of us wishes her ill.  Certainly, none of us wants her to suffer needlessly.  We're not sheep.  We're women with intellect and sensitivity.  There's nothing "cheerful" about this topic and we understand this.  Trust me, we understand this all too well.  I haven't seen one post encourage her to blindly accept a hysterectomy.  

dairelle...
I'm so sorry to hear about how your Mom suffered through her experience, but glad that she found a treatment that suited her individual situation.

summer...
I'm so sorry if your thread is causing you even the slightest thought of not sharing with us again.  Please keep us posted as to how you're doing.  Let us know if we can be of any assistance to you at all.  
peace,
Anne

[dairelle]

I have just had the opportunity to read whatever is left of this posting. Comments that remain, that is.  I am almost in tears reading the insulting terms and finger pointing in this thread.  I cant help but recall all childhood memory of my mother suffering in pain month after month.  She did not develop ovca but did at 42 years go through with a full hystorectomy.  She was full of fybroids and has since been on HRT.  It is sad that she doesn't have a place to discuss her situation like this forum.  And that my childhood consisted of my mother face down on the couch or floor for twenty years that I remember from passing out or just shear pain.  She is a different woman today and I couldn't imagine her havin to suffer one more day.  I am thankful that she didn't have to read the offensive lingo.  She is not a fixed cat.  

The original poster is asking about bios and information that can help support HER difficult decision. I think that almost all of the women on this forum have endured enough with their personal jouneys and there have been difficult decisions to make for each and everyone one of us.  Yes, I am new here but have sought the support from this forum to better understand what I too am going through.  Nobody here should just blindly be led by our doctors.  

[ne'chee]

The pathology as described was not diagnosed as cancer.

[turtledovemom]

As always, Mary shares the research that she has accumulated over the years...much the same you have admitted to be doing.  Mary is also very clear about the fact that she has made her own health decisions along with her licensed, medical caregivers.  She references the Northrup and Uzzi publications which are both readily available to us all.  In fact, Dr. Uzzi's book is used by a significant number of gyn's an gyn/onc's.  Mary is not in violation of the Terms and Conditions of medhelp.org.  Moreover, Mary has consistently demonstrated the true spirit of this site in that she offers patient to patient support.

[ne'chee]

The original poster asked for information about ovarian cysts. She has not been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, or any of the other pathologies some of the respondents in the thread have. So it is entirely appropriate to give her information and direction to information about cysts, which cysts are what, and what might be done about them. It is not appropriate to tell her what you did for your ovarian cancer with the implication that's what she should now think about, nor is it appropriate to "sell" her on bio-identical hormones which someone took after their ovarian cancer. Support does not mean cheerily encouraging someone to make your choice, even *if* her pathology turns out to be the same.

[kathy o]

Are you prepared when you scare a women from having a hysterecomy by calling it a castration. I quite frankly am sick and tired of your attitude. I as alot of other women on here have OVCA, you have been asked many times to let us try and help you through your Ovca, but you refuse to tell us anything about it.  My Hysterectomy was performed as were many on here to save our lives, we do not have an alternative unless you think of death as one. Mary is well liked and respected on here and as all of us she was giving her opinion and what has worked for her after her Cancer Diagnoses. I in stage three with 30 chemos later do not need your sort of stress or crappy attitude, I have always found this place as a safe haven and then you come along and ruined it for alot of people. I do not mean to be harsh but life at this point is too short for negative attitudes.......
Kathy

[turtledovemom]

summer is clearly a literate AND articulate woman.  She was very clear as to her situation as well as her concerns and those of her caregivers.  Most of us are respectful of her intelligence along with her situation.  Portions of this thread have already been cleared once due to confrontational and aggressive content. Once again, you're hijacking this discussion because of your own agenda.  We'd all appreciate it greatly if you wouldn't make judgement calls on things that aren't pertinent to you.  In this case, the possibility of the need to preserve life due to the presence of a cancer is clearly not pertinent to you.

[ne'chee]

I would be very afraid to so actively push for bio-identical hormones, especially for a woman who still has her own ovaries.I think it's one thing to give information, but quite another to push a certain medical intervention when you are not a medical professional. Are you prepared to be responsible if someone here takes your advice and goes on bio-identicals and gets breast cancer? Studies published in peer reviewed medical journals say this is a possibility with bio-identicals, just as it is with other hormones.

Again, it is one thing to give information and direction to sources, it's quite another to push unproven, potentially carcinogenic substances.

In fact, it's against Med Help posting policy to which we all agreed when we took out registration.

[Mary 53]

Hi Summer,

For all the symptoms that were just listed...this is why I take the bioidentical hormones. I am protected as best I can be if I keep my eyes on things and stay balanced...I work with my pharmacist and my doctor. Things are good. Insurance is now covering about half the cost of the bioidentical hormones. Most I now get at a compounding pharmacist (they are great resources!!!) but I have also had scripts filled at regular pharmacies for some of the bio's I have taken in the past. There are many different formulations and doses....

Take a look at Christian Northrup's book, "The Wisdom of Menopause"...great resource. Dr. Uzzi Reiss's book too on Natural Hormones....I would suggest you get both if you can. I still refer to these books and I have been on the hormones for six years. My sister was on them for approx 12 years. She just went off all hormones about six months ago...just to see (she is 65)and she is ready to go back on. She wants her old self back...she just took up baton twirling about a year ago and she has been in local parades....what a hoot!

Take care...I am out of town, so if I don't respond right away if you have a question...you will know why. Borrowed a computer...I am thankful but it is SLOOOOWWWW....

Mary

[ne'chee]

Ooops meant to post this link too. From "Menopausal Medicine" the newsletter of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. For Clinicians Who Provide Care for Women


RISK-BENEFIT ANALYSIS:
WHAT CONDITIONS MERIT
OOPHORECTOMY?

There are few if any conditions, except
ovarian cancer, where removal of normal
ovaries has been shown to have a greater
benefit than risk profile.

{...}

Physicians should seriously consider the
positive benefits of ovarian conservation
for patients at any age.


Article headings include:

THE POSTMENOPAUSAL OVARY:
MANY VALUABLE FUNCTIONS

DOCUMENTED ADVERSE EFFECTS
OF OOPHORECTOMY

Also includes a table which says (paraphrased)

Documented changes following oophorectomy

* increase in cardiovascular disease
* increase in osteoporosis
* increase in hip fracture
* difficulties with thinking and memory
* skin loss, wrinkling accelerates
* increased depressio
* libido and sexual function difficulties
* urinary tract atrophy


http://tinyurl.com/qy6j5

www.asrm.org/Literature/Menopausal_Medicine/Menomedfall99.pdf

[turtledovemom]

summer...
I just reread what's left of the posts to your original thread.  There sure are an awful lot of things for you to consider.  If your cysts/nodules aren't resolved by the time you get back to the doc, you've got some options.  As Mary said, and we've repeated (because we really believe that you're an intelligent woman), research is the key.  Unbiased research might seem hard to come by, but it's out there.  Two sites (among many more) would be:

www.asrm.org/Patients/mainpati.html
www.cdc.gov/CANCER/ovarian/spot.htm

Neither one of these sites is affiliated with any one specific physician.  We'll be posting more of these in the near future.  

I hope you're feeling well, and staying strong!
peace,
Anne

[ne'chee]

Summer

There's a wealth of unbiased information here which you can use to formulate your questions to your doctors.

If you have ovarian cysts:
http://www.gynsecondopinion.com/ovarian-cysts.htm

[Tybear]

I will be the first to tell you that trying to sort out all this hormone stuff is unbelievable. I had no idea how many types are available. You have to be your own advocate on this issue. Everytime I have had a concern about my HRT (currently I'm on .625mg of Premarin) I was the one who initiated a change in the dosage, not my Dr. In Canada, my family Dr is the one who is managing all of this, and even he doesn't really know what to tell me. I requested to see an endocrinologist and will get the results back from all those tests this afternoon - I'm very curious as to what my hormone levels are at now. I'm 27yrs old and realize I have a long life to live - I will not settle until I find the combination that works for me. Find out all you can about it now, so you are really aware of what you will be going through when the time comes. Good luck!
Becky

[turtledovemom]

summer...
I understand how overwhelming this entire topic can be...especially when you're presently in the middle of it with a big question mark hanging over your head.  Mary hit it straight on when she said that research is the key.  We're so fortunate to have the www available to us, even though the amount of information is mind boggling. Stay strong and keep an open mind.  We're here for you, regardless of your decision.   Please stay in touch.
peace,
Anne

[summer22]

I'm the original poster of this thread. I can see there are more opinions on this than I had expected! I've been reading, surfing, googling and my head is spinning with all the information.  I have an appt for an EMB for hyperplasia (not atypical) coming up in early August and will discuss the ovary problem at length with my Gyn Doc.  I've been taking provera for the hyperplasia,  hope that is all  cleared up.
I really don't want to get my ovaries removed, but I would rather have them out if there is a risk of growing complicated cysts that my end up cancerous some day. I'm thinking of getting another opinion if this next u/s shows an increase in size. My husband thinks that the ovaries would be safer taken out.
I'm really bummed out (pmsing to the max this week) and worried. I have alot going on in my lifet besides this medical issue. I have no idea what I will do as far as replacing hormones. I'd like to do bio identical but not sure of the cost, doubt if my insur will cover it.
Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.

[Linda J]

Hey tybear, I agree with you completely. I've lost one ovary and do not feel the least bit "castrated". That terminology is archaic and an insult to many of us.

I say we ignore her.

LindaJ

[Tybear]

Oh lord, are we back to this castration business again??? I have Ovarian Cancer - To keep my ovaries would have killed me. My gyne/onc never once used the word castration to describe what I went through - it's called being sensitive to ones struggles. This is an Ovarian Cancer site. Let's be a little more sensitive to the women like me, who have been through enough already. I highly doubt you would go on to a testicular cancer site and correct all the men there, by telling them that they are now considered castrated - why must you do it here???

[mariak]

AMEN!!!! I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER THEN THAT.